Shae Hopkins, KET Executive Director & CEO

Shae Hopkins is the executive director and chief executive officer of KET, the only statewide broadcast and multimedia network in Kentucky, used by more than one million Kentuckians each week and reaching 5.5 million people in eight states.

KET is a national leader in public media, a prominent producer of instructional multimedia, and is Kentucky’s definitive source for quality educational programs and services.

Hopkins was appointed the fourth leader of KET in its almost 50-year history in January 2010. Under her leadership, KET has restructured, increased efficiencies, and implemented new technologies to expand local and educational content on all platforms.

In 2011, Hopkins received the National Advocacy Award from the Association of Public Television Stations and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education to the inaugural board of Digital Promise (National Center for Research in Advanced Information and Digital Technologies).

She serves on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Board of Directors, is co-chair of the Organization of State Broadcast Executives Board of Directors, and is past chair of the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) Board of Directors. Hopkins also serves on the Digital Promise Board of Directors, the Union College Board of Trustees, and the University of Kentucky College of Communications & Information Studies National Advisory Board.

Hopkins is focused on developing innovative educational resources and strengthening KET’s partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education and other state and national institutions to provide highly-regarded and effective professional development resources, and multimedia content for the classroom that support student achievement.

In addition, Hopkins is continuing to expand KET’s production of local content including informative public affairs series, extensive coverage of the General Assembly, engaging health and education policy programs, and inspiring arts and culture programs.

Prior to being named executive director and CEO, Hopkins served in progressive management positions within KET, including Deputy Executive Director of Education, Programming and Production, where she was responsible for KET’s day-to-day operations and oversaw the development of a wide range of content and productions.